Operation Dry Water - Law Enforcement

[Ky Trophy Fish]

The boat owner one time had a state officer get on the boat after he clearly warned him about his registration and that the Coast Guard was the only one who could board without reason. As the officer boarded, the boat owner took pictures; the officer got really upset and nervous about the situation at that point. The officer backed down, abandoned his check, but did manage to write out a littering charge to one of the guys on board - he tossed a cigarette butt in the water without thinking while it was all going on.

The boat owner explained to me that in such a situation, the KDFWR can make the vessel stop, but cannot board. They can hold the vessel until the Coast Guard shows up, but that's about the limits of their authority with such a registered vessel.

[COLOR=#003366]IS A DOCUMENTED VESSEL EXEMPT FROM STATE JURISDICTION?[/COLOR]

No, all documented vessels must comply with the laws of the state in which they are operated. The vessel's document must be shown to state law enforcement personnel upon their demand. States may require documented vessels to be registered (but not numbered) and to display state decals showing that they have complied with state requirements.


http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvdc/nvdcfaq.asp#22

Read the part about subject to state laws.